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Saturday, March 15, 2014

A LITTLE TOO FAR AND JUST RIGHT

As a child I was always intrigued when the altar boy lifted the chasuble of the priest during the elevations. Normally two did it but in a very discreet tight way.

Today, however, it is much exaggerated by some. It is simply to keep the chasuble from pulling the alb when the priest offers the high elevations so people can see the Host and Chalice. It need not be exaggerated.

I know that when I celebrate our ad orientem OF Mass each Sunday and no one lifts the chasuble, I can feel it pulling. A simple lift would help immensely! But it need not be overdone, noble simplicity works quite well in this case!

With a raised chasuble to Fr. Z who posted on this with the photos below!

Just right, but two doing it would be better!

Just too exaggerated and too pompous!

14 comments:

John Drake said...

Hmmm. No hat tip to Fr. Z who just posted on this very topic with the same photo ?

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Father, for the explanation. I always wondered why the chasuable was listed and, yes, the first picture does seem just right.

Jan

Rood Screen said...

But, one is a low Mass and the other solemn. That would explain the number of servers available.

Pater Ignotus said...

You've been lifting the Sacred Elements for 30 years with no one lifting the hem of your garment.

I would suggest that the need for lifting the hem is negligible. If it is that unbearable, get a better tailored chasuble and eliminate the useless "lift."

rcg said...

I have heard that you should not tug on supermans cape. But two Jimmy Olsen's can

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

For about the first 28 years I never celebrated the EF Mass as a priest. The elevations need to be higher for any Mass celebrated ad orientem. Thus the tug of the chasuble is quite noticeable and there is a great, great need for the chasuble to be lifted for the priests comfort and security not to mention peace of mind.

Rood Screen said...

I understand the value of lifting the alb for the genuflections (so the priest doesn't trip or rip the vestment), but I'm not sure I understand how lifting the chasuble helps the priest elevate the host. This seems like a practice that number 50 of S.C. rightly suggested could be set aside.

Pater Ignotus said...

JBS - Lifting the hem of the chasuble does nothing to alter the position of the fabric on the shoulders or arms of the priest.

There MAY have been a time when conical/monastic vestments were used when such lifting may have been of benefit. (Did you ever try on one of those really heavy, brocaded, embroidered things - they weigh a ton. I can only image what it must have been like in a cold, damp Bavarian monastery chapel.)

Lifting the alb at genuflections is also unnecessary. In the 28 years I have worn an alb at mass, I have never tripped or torn the alb. And I wear one that is long, coming down to the vamps of my shoes. (A pox on those who wear shin-revealing high water albs.)

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

I can testify that last Sunday at our OF ad orientem Mass and wearing a full chasable that when I elevated the Host and the Chalice, I felt the chasuble grab me from the back, not at the shoulders or arms, but more in the area of the glutinous max! Lift the chasable assist with those with maximus glutinous maxes.

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

I would recommend to PI that he do an ultra high elevation as is necessary for ad orientem, but not facing the congregation to actually experience what so many of us normal priests experience.

Pater Ignotus said...

"Glutinous max"? As Speaker Boehner said, "Are you KIDDING me?"

And relation to Mad Max? Max Factor? Max Plank?

Anonymous 2 said...

Gluteus Maximus was a famous Roman gladiator under Nero known for his muscular physique. In his day he was a real hip kind of guy.

rcg said...

Yes, glutinous. I think it refers to buns.

For some reason today I was attentive to the lifting of the chai bile and the young man who is my favourite server and he gave a huge lift. It seemed more than usual. I didn't think to ask him later. I will say that the server program here is quite good, and this young man is exceptional. I expect he thought it should be high enough to show the Monsignor's garters, but I need to ask.

Pater Ignotus said...

The EF rubrics do not all for an "ultra high elevation" of the host or chalice. This is obviously a personal, and highly clerical I might add, embellishment made by you, Good Father.

I thought the EF obliterated all of these idiosyncracies - at least, that is your claim.

"The he arises, and as much as he can comfortably do, elevates the host in the air, and directing his eyes toward It (which is also done during the elevation of the Chalice)shows It reverently to the people for their adoration."